Report: Tony Romo Out For The Season

With a victory against Philadelphia next Sunday, the Cowboys are in the playoffs, but Tony Romo won't get the chance to help his team win or lose or whatever it is Romo does. According to Adam Schefter, he's out for the rest of the season with a back injury.

Romo injured his back in Sunday's comeback win against Washington, saying he "tweaked it in the game" and was in discomfort. Per ESPN, Romo's back started hurting after a hit in the first half. Owner Jerry Jones actually downplayed Romo's injury when asked about it Sunday:

"We think it'll be OK, but it was a tightening — it wasn't a contusion," Jones said. "It was a little tight, but they're working on him and we'll work on that all week. He really had a little of it in practice, to give you an idea, this past week — just a little tightness."

He received an MRI today, and although there were no further details about what was wrong with his back, it was apparently serious enough to shut him down for the season, and keep him out of the Cowboys' Week 17 game against the Eagles. The winner of that game will win the NFC East and advance to the playoffs. The loser goes home.

This is shitty news for anyone who likes good football. The Eagles-Cowboys game was specifically flexed to Sunday night because it featured such an enthralling matchup in a winner-take-all game. With Romo out, it's going to be significantly less entertaining. Win or lose, Romo would have done something worth watching.

So, Romo won't get a chance to catch praise or blame. Kyle Orton and his beautiful hair will have to help Dallas get to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.

Update: Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett denied that Romo's out for the season, and says a decision on the quarterback hasn't been made yet.

[ ESPN]

Photo: AP